Command reference Β· Claude Code
/memory
Edits CLAUDE.md memory files, toggles auto-memory on/off, and shows auto-memory entries.
/memory lists the locations of all CLAUDE.md and CLAUDE.local.md files across user and project scope, including entries for files that don't exist yet. A selection opens the file in the editor - GUI editors like VS Code open it in a separate window, so the session remains usable in the meantime; terminal editors like Vim occupy the terminal until closed. In addition, /memory turns Auto-Memory on or off (stored as autoMemoryEnabled in ~/.claude/settings.json) and opens the Auto-Memory folder for review.
Auto-Memory are notes Claude derives on its own from corrections and preferences - such as build commands, debugging insights, or workflow preferences - stored locally on the machine and shared across all worktrees of the same repo. CLAUDE.md files, by contrast, are written by hand, for lasting guidelines like coding standards or architecture. Both are loaded as context in every conversation, but not necessarily enforced - hard enforcement requires PreToolUse hooks.
π THE SAME TASK (βEDIT PROJECT CONFIG/INSTRUCTIONSβ) ON OTHER PLATFORMS
β WHEN TO USE IT?
Record a lasting rule for all future sessions
Use /memory to add a guideline like 'always use TypeScript strict mode' to CLAUDE.md instead of repeating it every time.
Check what Claude has remembered on its own as Auto-Memory
Call /memory and open the Auto-Memory folder to review automatically saved notes about build commands or preferences.
β WHEN NOT TO?
An instruction only applies to the current task
/memory writes to permanently loaded files - unnecessary for a one-time instruction and needlessly bloats CLAUDE.md.
Better: Give the instruction directly in the current session's prompt without saving it.
Checking which memory files were actually loaded into the running session
/memory lists all locations but doesn't show which of them are actually loaded in the current session.
Better: Call /context and check the list under 'Memory files'.
SOURCES
- Claude Code docs (official) β code.claude.com
MORE COMMANDS Β· Claude Code